The Dagon Bridge, the 228th among the bridges, 180 feet and above long, built by the State, was inaugurated on 27 October 2007.

Till 1988, Myanmar had only two river-spanning bridges — the Sagaing Bridge over the Ayeyawady River and the Sittoung Bridge over the Sittoung River. Since its assuming of State duties, the Tatmadaw government has built a large number of bridges, large and small, across the nation. That reflects its benevolence towards the nation.

Plans are under way to open the 13 newly constructed bridges including Yadanabon Bridge (Mandalay), Sittoung Bridge (Moppalin), Mezali Bridge, Uru Bridge and Bwetkyi Bridge.

Very high is the number of infrastructures necessary for national development the government has built with genuine goodwill in the interests of the people. In doing so, the government had to invest heavily.

Secure and smooth transport is one of the fundamental requirements for economic growth and swift commodity flow that play a pivotal role in building a modern and developed nation. The government, the Tatmadaw and the people are working hard together day and night in constructing roads and bridges on self-reliant basis. Now, the people are enjoying fruitful results of these transport facilities.

Yangon, the commercial hub of Myanmar, has a population of more than 5.5 million. Since 1988, the government has been upgrading existing roads, building new ones, and constructing many roads and bridges that link Yangon Division and other states and divisions. So far, it has constructed a large number of bridges, large and small, inclusive of 31 facilities, 180 feet and above long, such as Maha Bandoola, Thanlyin, Bayintnaung, Aungzeya, Shwepyitha, Panhlaing and Twantay bridges.

Dagon Bridge is over the Bago River. The project was launched on 2 May 2000. It links Dagon Myothit (Seikkan Township) and Thanlyin Township. The 4540 feet long facility’s clearance area is 130 feet wide and 18 feet high. It can withstand 75 tons of loads.

It has a 72-foot-wide motorway and two six-foot- wide walkways on it. Thanks to the facility, products of Dagon Seikkan Industrial Zone, Dagon (South) Industrial Zone, Dagon (North) Industrial Zone, Dagon (East) Industrial Zone, and Hlinethaya Industrial City on Yangon side can be exported in a short time through Thilawa International Port Terminal on Thanlyin side.

In addition, the people in Thanlyin, Kyauktan, Kayan and Thongwa townships will enjoy development in the economic, trade, education, health, religious, social and transport sectors.

Regarding the Dagon Bridge, an interview was conducted with Deputy Superintending Engineer U Tint Lwin of Special Project (Bridge) Group-1 of Public Works.

Q: The bridge is a splendid one. I would like to know how much did it cost.

A: It costs more than 18,000 million (18 billion) kyats.

Q: Was all the cost on the project from the State funds and was there any foreign assistance?

A: All the cost on the project was from the State funds and there was no foreign assistance.

Q: I notice something different. For instance, pillars of the bridge are different from other bridges’.

A: You are right. The technology used for building this bridge and that for the first Thanlyin Bridge are not the same. It is an all-concrete bridge without any iron beams. It has a lot of strong points. For instance, iron-beam bridges need regular checks. Rusty spots of such bridges are to be removed and such areas are to be painted again. We also have to check the bridge to know if there is a damaged area due to sea water. Concrete bridges do not need such maintenance work.

Q: I would also like to know the purpose of building all-concrete bridge and why another facility was built near the first Thanlyin Bridge.

A: The purpose of building all-concrete bridge is to be able to withstand heavier loads. So, the facility consists of 19 main pillars in the river, 13 pillars for the approach structure on Yangon side, and 15 pillars for the approach structure on Thanlyin side. Why another facility was built near the first Thanlyin Bridge is to be able to withstand loads over two times more than the capacity of the first Thanlyin Bridge. Like the Sittoung Bridge and Sagaing Bridge, the first Thanlyin Bridge has one railroad in the middle and a one-way motor road each on either side on it. The two motor roads are on the protrusions of the bridge, so it has limited capacity to withstand loads. Now, maximum weight allowed to pass on it is 36 tons. In the past, there was no problem because the trucks were six-wheel vehicles. Now, trucks are 10-wheel and 12-wheel vehicles. So, the Dagon Bridge is suitable for heavy trucks with 40 or 50 tons of loads each. It has a six-lane motorway on it, so trucks and container trucks can pass through it at the same time. If a car breaks down on the first Thanlyin Bridge, there is traffic jam on the bridge.

Q: I learnt that it took a long time to conduct a land survey and designate an axis for the bridge. Is it right?

A: Yes, it is. The Bago River is a little narrow. So, the facility somewhat blocks the current of the river and that makes the current strong with whirlpools. We faced difficulties to drive bore piles for the foundation. We used RCD bore piles for Dagon Bridge.

Q: You also built the Mawlamyine Bridge. So, may I know the difference between the Mawlamyine Bridge and the Dagon Bridge?

A: We used different technologies for building the two bridges. To build the Mawlamyine Bridge, we first dug holes in the bed of the river and put concrete into them to construct main pillars. We had to pump the water and earth from these holes. We had to overcome a lot of difficulties to complete this stage. We dug holes till reaching the rock layer. The bridge was also designed to be resistant enough to earthquakes. As you know, the current of the Thanlyin River is very swift. To build the Dagon Bridge, we had to use cantilever to build pillars so that the maximum length between two pillars is 160 feet. We used 398 105-foot-long RCD piles to build 19 pillars. We also used 240 110-foot-long reinforced-concrete beams.

Q: Is the Dagon Bridge the largest one among the reinforced-concrete bridges in Myanmar?

A: Yes, it is. It can withstand 75 tons of a truck in maximum and has a six-lane motor road on it. The Pathein Bridge also can withstand 75 tons of loads, but it is a suspension one.

Q: I learnt that the design of the Dagon Bridge was drawn by Myanmar engineers. Is it right?

A: Myanmar engineers took all responsibilities for technology, scale model and design for the Dagon Bridge. We didn’t receive any foreign supervision, assistance and funds for the project. Myanmar engineers produced the scale model and built the bridge step by step by themselves.

Q: Then, the Dagon Bridge is the very pride of Myanmar engineers. Isn’t it?

A: Yes, it is. The government provided funds and construction materials, and Myanmar engineers took responsibilities for technology and innovations. In fact, the project is due to the vision and guidance of the Head of State.

Q: How many staff and workers were used to complete the project on schedule?

A: More than 100 engineers including experts, more than 50 permanent staff members and more than 1000 night shift workers.

Then, I interviewed fisherman U Aye Kyaw, 50, of Kalarwe village in Thanlyin Township.

Q: U Aye Kyaw, were you born here? And what is your opinion about the bridge?

A: Yes, Kalarwe is my native village. I have engaged in the fishery work since I was 18. I carry marine products by boat to Yangon. Yangon is seen from Thanlyin, but we could not get there easily. Now, the government has constructed the Dagon Bridge, so Yangon is easily accessible from here in a short time. My products are now marketable. I have never dreamt such a good opportunity. I have to say thanks to the leaders of the State. Now, the delight of all the people in our village for the bridge is beyond words. Next, I interviewed Junior Assistant Teacher Daw Nu Yee, 49, of Kalarwe village.

Q: Well, Daw Nu Yee, What benefits do you think your village will enjoy from the Dagon Bridge?

A: I am sure, due to the facility, the people in Thanlyin, Kyauktan, Kayan and Thongwa on Thanlyin side will enjoy improvement in the social, education, health, and economic sectors. We are enjoying the results of the government’s purpose of narrowing the development gap through the Dagon Bridge. In the past, it was difficult for the youths in our region to get degrees. Unlike in the past, now, we can travel to Yangon easily due to the bridge. I am very glad that more and more youths in our region will be educated persons.

The people are proud of and satisfied with the Dagon Bridge that has emerged thanks to the genuine goodwill of the government, huge investments and skills of Myanmar engineers.